What Happened To Global Warming Predictions Of Major Hurricanes? Another False Forecast!

2013 Slowest Hurricane Season Since 1982

The 2013 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially ended on Saturday, had the fewest hurricanes in 30 years, casting doubt on claims from climate change alarmists that global warming will lead to more frequent and stronger storms.

No major hurricanes formed in the Atlantic basin for the first time since 1994, thanks in large part to "persistent, unfavorable atmospheric conditions over the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and tropical Atlantic Ocean," according to a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Thirteen named storms formed in the Atlantic basin this year. But only two, Ingrid and Humberto, became hurricanes.

The average number of named storms is 12, but the average number of Atlantic hurricanes is six. On average per hurricane season there are three major hurricanes of Category 3 and above.

Tropical Storm Andrea was the only named storm to make landfall in the United States this season, bringing heavy rain and minor flooding to portions of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

This year ranks as the sixth least-active Atlantic hurricane season since 1950, and was only the third below-normal season since 1995, when a high-activity era for Atlantic hurricanes began.

"A combination of conditions acted to offset several climate patterns that historically have produced active hurricane seasons," said Gerry Bell, lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA's Climate Prediction Center.

"This unexpectedly low activity is linked to an unpredictable atmospheric pattern that prevented the growth of storms by producing exceptionally dry, sinking air and strong vertical wind shear in much of the main hurricane formation region," he said.

NOAA and the U.S. Air Force flew only 45 hurricane hunter aircraft reconnaissance missions over the Atlantic basin this year, totaling 435 hours — the fewest flight hours since at least 1966, NOAA reported.

Unlike the United States, Mexico was battered by eight storms, including three hurricanes. Five came from the Pacific Ocean and three from the Atlantic.